STRATEGIC PLANNING 

PROGRAM MANUAL
2 | Strategic Planning Program Manual

Table of Contents

Introduction 3

What is Strategic Planning? 3

Types of Plans 3

Program Information 5

Eligibility 5

Priorities 5

Frequently Asked Questions 6
3 | Strategic Planning Program Manual

INTRODUCTION

DRA was established by Congress in 2000 as a formal framework for joint 

Federal-State collaboration to serve the eight-state Mississippi River Delta 

and Alabama Black Belt regions. DRA promotes economic growth and 

opportunity by investing in human and critical infrastructure in economically 

distressed communities. Through funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure 

Law (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, PL 117-58) signed by President 

Biden, DRA has designed a planning program that gives public entities 

across the region the autonomy to develop plans that address common and 

unique challenges and needs. Many communities across DRA’s deeply rural 

region lack the resources to employ grant writers, planners, or to hire 

consultants. This program will provide grantees with the resources 

necessary to develop a roadmap for economic development.

B. Types of Plans

Grantees will be allowed to conduct

several planning activities with DRA

funds. Funds can be used for, but not

limited to, the following plans:

1. Comprehensive Economic

Development Plan or Master Plan

Economic development plans or

master plans are broad strategic plans

that encompass several areas such as

infrastructure, land use, and residential

development. These plans provide

a review of current socio-economic

conditions and long-term strategies

and implementation steps that will

prepare entities for future growth and

opportunities.

2. Capital Improvement Plan

Capital improvement plans provide

a strategic outline for physical

development such as the construction

or restoration of assets owned and

maintained by local governments.

These plans allow local governments to

develop an outlook for funding and the

completion of capital projects.

01

A. What is Strategic

Planning?

DRA uses “strategic planning”

as a broad term to define a wide

variety of planning activities.

Strategic planning is simply

the process of examining or

analyzing current economic

conditions and developing

strategies that maximize

community assets, identify

opportunity, and mitigate

challenges.
3. Utility Rate Study

Utility rate studies are financial studies

that provide an analysis of revenue and

operating costs for water systems. Rate

studies offer a review of the revenue

needed for maintenance and upgrades

while ensuring equitable rates for

consumers.

4. Preliminary Engineering Report

Preliminary engineering reports are often

required to secure funding from state or

federal agencies. These reports provide

an assessment of specific needs, such as

water and sewer, proposed projects, and

costs.

5. Workforce Development Plan

Workforce development plans

address challenges unique to different

communities by analyzing the current

workforce landscape and setting goals

that address issues such as a knowledge

or skill gap, placement, retention, and

training for entrepreneurs. These plans

can also include economic development

components like housing development

for workers.

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7. Transportation Plan

Transportation plans are developed and

implemented to address local or regional

transportation systems. Transportation

plans can also include strategies and goals

for economic development, environmental

mitigation, climate resilience, and

workforce.

8. Feasibility Study

Feasibility studies are designed to help

communities analyze and assess the

viability or potential success of a project.

Feasibility studies can be powerful

tools that help public entities project

the impact of economic development

projects.

9. Broadband Deployment Plan

Broadband deployment plans focus on

developing strategies and programs that

will remove connectivity barriers especially

in rural and underserved communities.

These plans help communities map out

broadband delivery and infrastructure.

• DRA is offering a wide array of planning

activities to meet the various planning

needs across the eight-state region.

Communities adjacent to flood zones

could benefit from climate resilience

plans and coal communities with

displaced workers could benefit from

workforce development plans. This

program is designed with your needs in

mind.
A. Eligibility

Eligible applicants for this

program include:

• Local Units of

Government

• Public Authorities and

Associations

• Non-profit Organizations

(such as business

incubators)

• Local Development

Districts and

Metropolitan Planning

Organizations

• Institutions of Higher

Education

• Federally Recognized

Tribes

Local development districts 

should apply alongside a 

local unit of government to 

help them conduct strategic 

plans. Non-profit entities 

such as business incubators 

and Institutions of Higher 

Education can also apply 

alongside a local unit of 

government but can also 

apply as the sole applicant 

for plans such as workforce 

development.

B. Priorities

DRA’s priorities for this program

are consistent with statutory

requirements of investing and

improving the quality of life in

economically distressed counties

and parishes and isolated areas

of distressed in non-distressed

counties and parishes. Priorities

for the program include:

• Proposals that demonstrate

goals that will improve economic

development in economically

distressed, isolated areas of

distress, or persistent poverty

communities such as plans that

address job training, improving

infrastructure like water and

sewer, and other catalysts for

growth.

• Proposals that incorporate input 

from underserved groups. For 

example, focus groups or

community meetings that

measure community challenges

and needs.

• Proposals that demonstrate local

or regional collaboration. For

example, a local government

applying with an institution of

higher education, or a multicounty/parish proposal that

addresses regional economic

development.

• Proposals that demonstrate

alignment with DRA’s Regional

Development Plan IV.

Applicants are encouraged to submit 

applications that match these 

priorities.

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PROGRAM INFORMATION 02
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1. What is the grant range

amount? $25-000-$150,000

2. If I hire a consultant, does

that consultant have to

reside in DRA’s service area?

No, but the applicant will have

to reside in DRA’s service area.

3. Do I have to hire a traditional

consulting firm or can I

work with a non-profit?

Grantees can hire a traditional

consulting firm or a non-profit

organization that specializes

in community development.

4. Are there other plans that

can be completed other than

the ones listed? Applicants

will be allowed to submit

proposals for plans other than

the one listed. For example, a

market demand study is an

eligible plan. DRA will

determine whether proposed

plans fit within the scope of

the program during the

review process.

5. How can I determine if

my area is economically

distressed? Information

about economically distressed

counties and parishes, isolated

areas of distress in nondistressed counties and

parishes, and persistent

poverty counties and parishes

can be found here.

6. How often will I have to

report on the progress of my

plan? Grantees will be

required to report annually.

Reports will be due exactly

one year after the date of the

award. DRA will provide

grantees with a questionnaire

to report their performance.

7. Will DRA offer technical 

assistance for this program?

Yes, DRA will offer technical

assistance for applicants and

grantees. Technical assistance

will be in the form of webinars,

workshops, and virtual office

hours. DRA will offer technical

assistance to unsuccessful

applicants that would like

guidance on strengthening

future applications.

8. How will grantees receive 

payments? Grantees will

receive advanced payments

for the first 12 months of

the project. Any remaining

funds will be advanced every 6

months until the project is

complete.

9. What is the period of 

performance? The period

of performance for this

program is up to 24 months.

The period of performance

covers planning activities and

implementation.

10. If I have already started

a strategic plan but lack 

resources to complete it, can 

I apply for this program? Yes,

this program can be used

to help recipients complete

planning activities that are

currently underway.

11. Who do I contact if I have 

questions? If you have any

questions, please email

strategy@dra.gov. To access the 

application, please visit https://

dra.gov/programs/capacitybuilding/strategic-planningprogram/

FREQUENTLY 

ASKED QUESTIONS 03